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If you are the type that likes to plan before you build, this is for you. Using Google Sketchup is a great way to plan your haunts and modify haunts later on if you choose with ease. It is also a great way to plan for the amount of material you'll need for any application. If you're in the construction industry, this is similar to the BIM (Building Information Modeling) concept. Model the building first, detect conflicts within systems then build per the BIM plans... The front end planning pays off in the back end work of a project.
Below is a simple example of an entrance I like that I saw online. I saved the image to my computer then imported it into Sketchup. A callout tag points to the program's origin (not shown). It is a standard 3-dimensional X,Y,Z axis origin. The origin is a solid place to start scaling your model.
These steps don't really get into detail how to use sketchup. The in-program tutorials are amazingly easy to follow. The level of detail and accuracy is up to you. This is my methodology how I worked it out in my head as I went along.
Steps:
As you can see, the entry model is close enough to the scaled picture. The dimension of the 3D object shows a height of approx. 14'-6" tall - AFF to TOL.
So there you have it... a 2-dimensional picture brought to life in 3D that can assist in the building process. Hopefully this helps you in planning your haunt.
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Below is a simple example of an entrance I like that I saw online. I saved the image to my computer then imported it into Sketchup. A callout tag points to the program's origin (not shown). It is a standard 3-dimensional X,Y,Z axis origin. The origin is a solid place to start scaling your model.
These steps don't really get into detail how to use sketchup. The in-program tutorials are amazingly easy to follow. The level of detail and accuracy is up to you. This is my methodology how I worked it out in my head as I went along.
Steps:
- I decided that I want the entry gate to be around 14' tall. I dimensioned it from AFF (above finish floor [aka the ground]) to TOL (top of light).
- Selecting the tape measure tool, I clicked the origin then ran the cursor down the Z-axis 14' and clicked. This drops a reference mark.
- The plus sign is the 14' reference mark that I'll use to roughly scale the imported picture to.
- I imported the picture, set the bottom of the columns in the picture on the X-axis then scaled the picture where the top of light was approximately at 14' (at the same plane of the reference mark).
- Once that is done, I traced different components of the entry. I did the columns, ornamental iron and gate as separate parts.
- Once the image is traced 2-dimensional, there is a tool called push/pull. I used this tool to pull the "shapes" up on the Y-axis which magically transforms the 2D shapes into a 3D model.
- I traced each piece, grouped pieces together, assembled them and created a 3-dimensional, scaled model of an entry that I can build now.
As you can see, the entry model is close enough to the scaled picture. The dimension of the 3D object shows a height of approx. 14'-6" tall - AFF to TOL.
So there you have it... a 2-dimensional picture brought to life in 3D that can assist in the building process. Hopefully this helps you in planning your haunt.
